Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-21
SUCCESS AND FAILURE OF THE ED
MUNDS LAW.
A Peculiar Case-A PerpIexing Question:
Effects of the Edmunds Act.


Effects of the Edmunds Act.
nv the Rev. u. T.. Leonard, superintendent
of Missions in Utah, Idaho and Montanu.l
1t is nearly five years ago that the legal
remedy for Mormon polygamy prescribed
bv the distinguished senator from Yer
mont was given Il place upon the statute
books Time enough has therefore elaps-
ed to allow Il fair test to be made of its
value, and the inquiry is also in order as
to what results have been achieved Only
too much must not be expected since
this was but an experiment, a pioneer
attempt in an untried field The anti
poygamy laws of 1862 and 1874 had prov
ed worse than valueless, had left the vic
tory wholly IN the hands of the hierarchy.
But in 1881 he times seemed propitious
for third and more etfectual attempt.
In that We ir for the first time in gener-
alton. the president found no occasion to
make allusion in his message o troublous
affairs in the South, and so the nation had
leisure to take the twin relic" in hand.
The Edmunds bill became law in March
of 1882, and II month later Geo. q Can
non, who for eight years had held his
seat in Congress, was expelled because of
his over-numerOus marriage contracts.
In June the five commissioners were APP
pointed to supervise elections i'll Utah,
and in November some $1,000 men and
women were DISTINGUISHED In April of
1884, VIM. II. Dickson became United
States Attorney, within ten days had Sc
cured an Indictment for poly Gamy against
Rodger ClaWSOn, in September Judge
Charles >. Zane took his seat rs Chief
Justice. and by the end of November
ClAwson, after two tedious and exciting
trials, was landed in the penitentiary.
Witnesses were run off, shameless aud
wholesale perjury was INDUCED in, and all
manner of legal bubbles, but in vain
Next followed II perplexing period of
appeals, by which the meaning and intent
Of every clause and phrase of the law
were passed upon by the Supreme Court.
Aud meantime prosecutions we'll nigh
ceased. SO great was the uncertainty up
on vprs points and so many were the
obstacles that between July /, 1884 aud
June 30, 1885 only nine cases reached Il
couclnsion. But at length the question
Of definition and construction was settled,
and with such vgOr were proceedings
pushed that within the next twelve months
not less than tighty-four convictions were
secured. Besides, on the first of July,
1856. full 200 indictments We're pending.
Since then lbs arrests have been made,
ami nearly fifty have been sent to PRISON
In all therefore, to date, about 100 sanity
law breakers are already enduring the
penalty of tranSgreSsiOn and twice as
many more are on the road to the peni-
Tertiary, except such of them as shall sue
cpeeiully take to tlight and hiding. Or,
if Idaho and \ riApua ave included, the
/ number of convictions would approach
POO aud of Indictment, $50, making thus
a total OF $50 upon whom ne law has laid
heavy haudS. Then in addition, at least
rs many more have fled from he face of
the terrible marshals, and gone into per-
mauent "eXIle.' 1t il no longer difficult
| to catch the "eders of Israel. " or to take
their cases trough to the sentence. Ar
rests are affairs of about every day, and
quite recently a haul of eight was made
, III a single settlement. Not many poly
gamsts are any longer at ease in Zion.
| With an exquisite touch Of poetic justice
the one-wved, who at least III practice re-
ject the sacred principle of "purallty,"
are compelled to stand sentry while the
more faithful sleep, as well as to assist
! Literally in paying the cost of defending
| them ii brought to trial.
50 far forth, then, the Edmunds law is
no failure. POlygamists are dislrauchised
and hundreds of them are in durance OF
else on the sure road thither. 1t is GER
taiuly something hat after forty wears OF
practical notification the will of Congress
can be enforced in Salt Lake IN spite OF
| the utmost of resistance from the thee
/ cracy. But yet 1t must not be forgotten,
! NAT so far as the evidence goes, the lead
/
! teutiOn of submitting, and yielding hearty
obedience to the law Of the land. They
/ have by fartOO much ut stake and are to,
| thoroughly committed to evil ways. They
/ still hope by hook or by crook 10 hold
their places and their power, In the
| strife of parties many wonderful things
| may happen upon the Potomac, Tor great
is the might of the tithing fund Not unit
the last hope has expired will they ralst
the white nag. 1t is we'll known that not
a few of high ecCle~ia teal degree favJl
! compromise or even surrender, whit
! thousands among the MASSES would be
glad to give up the equal and uuprolita
bic strife but, so thoroughly drilled l.
the entire population in obedience that
there is slight pros peCt of rebellion or even
of open protest. Taylor, Cannon and
company, alias the Lord" must first
give the signal. The church machine
must begin the movement. Right here /,
the feature of the case which strangely
enough inspires both apprehension anc
hope. For If the First Presidency speak,
the word, so utterly have the people com
mltted their souls to the keeping of the
priesthood, the reason aud conscience q
all Will turn lustanter like a We.lherCUCl
to any point of the compass, And enough
is known of the spiritual quality OF tn,
handful OF leaders TO give strong a>Sur
anCe that when compelled by long ant
severe endurance OF evli they will cry TO
quarter like other base upstairs aud usur
pers and surrender at discretion.
Again, hi herto and even yet when cap
tured and held for trial and brought III
for sentence, these men who essay to ''liv,
their religion carry themselves will
calmness and courage, ana 90 to prison
with not little of the mien of martyrs
Not more than IA dozen in all have beer
ready to promise to keep the law in fu
ture, though by making that pledge the,
81 Y